Tennessee Transportation Officials Propose Toll Lanes

Express lanes around Nashville, Chattanooga, and Knoxville would be the first in the state and help make up for dwindling gas taxes.

1 minute read

December 19, 2023, 9:00 AM PST

By Diana Ionescu @aworkoffiction


View of Nashville skyline at night with blurred highway lights in foreground.

Highways near downtown Nashville, Tennessee. | SeanPavonePhoto / Adobe Stock

After Tennessee Governor Bill Lee signed a transportation funding bill earlier this year, state transportation officials proposed the state’s first toll lanes this week, according to an Associated Press article by Jonathan Matisse.

The proposal calls for optional toll lanes on some highways around the cities of Nashville, Chattanooga, and Knoxville. Matisse notes that it would take years to break ground on any new construction. The Department of Transportation says the lanes could help manage congestion and bring in funding for transportation improvements.

The recent transportation law also raises fees on electric vehicles and hybrids to make up for lost gas taxes.

Monday, December 18, 2023 in Associated Press

Single-family homes in a suburban neighborhood in Florida.

New Florida Law Curbs HOA Power

The legislation seeks to cut down on ‘absurd’ citations for low-level violations.

June 16, 2024 - The Guardian

Multistory apartment building under construction.

New Tennessee Law Allows No-Cost Incentives for Affordable Housing

Local governments in the Volunteer State can now offer developers incentives like increased density, lower parking requirements, and priority permitting for affordable housing projects.

June 10, 2024 - Nooga Today

Aerial view of intersection in New York City with yellow cabs and zebra crosswalks.

Planners’ Complicity in Excessive Traffic Deaths

Professor Wes Marshall’s provocatively-titled new book, "Killed by a Traffic Engineer," has stimulated fierce debates. Are his criticisms justified? Let’s examine the degree that traffic engineers contribute to avoidable traffic deaths.

June 13, 2024 - Todd Litman

Brick high-rise apartment buildings in New York City

Study: Housing Crisis is About Affordability, not Supply

New research shows that there is no overall shortage of housing units, but all U.S. metropolitan areas face a severe lack of affordable units for low-income renters.

June 18 - University of Kansas

Couple on one side of desk with banker on other side looking at paperwork.

Are Race-Based Lawsuits Affecting Community Lenders?

Shelterforce spoke with community lending leaders and experts about the current mood across the sector. What, if anything, are organizations doing to avoid becoming the next target of conservative activists?

June 18 - Shelterforce Magazine

Rendering of Glory Park in Lewisville, Texas.

New Park Promotes Community and Connectivity in Lewisville, Texas

The city of Lewisville just celebrated the opening of Glory Park/Parque la Gloria, helping to improve park access and the quality of life for residents.

June 18 - Lewisville Leader

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.